For Baitcasting Reels, Left is Right...

[caughtmydink]

I noticed this while watching the boys fish Flaming Gorge on Doug Miller last night.
I have fished the Gorge faithfully for about 12 years now. I bought my first baitcasting reel about 7 years ago, and though I never actually "cast" with them (did that once, and what a birdsnest of a mistake), I have found them to be an invalueable tool for both vertical jigging and for trolling off of downriggers.
The problem with baitcasting reels is that about 90 % of them are "right handed" models. Which means you turn the crank forward with your right hand and hold the rod with your left.(as they did on the show last night.)

Now I'm a right handed person, and these "right handed" reels feel exactly the opposite to me. I grew up fishing with open faced spinning reels and fly reels, both of which you hold the rod with your right hand and turn the crank handle forward with your left.

So, if you want to use this same action with a baitcasting reel, you will have to buy a "left handed" model.

Sounds backward, eh ?

The right handed models aren't so bad when your trolling and the fish is already hooked by the time you pick the rod up. But when jigging for lakers, which require an almost instantaneous hook set, I think that most of us that grew up out west will be far more effective using a "left handed" baitcaster.

I now own 3, all lefty models, 2 by quantam and my most recent is my favorite. It's a Cabelas "prestige" model #PRE150L. It has an 8 disc drag, a flipping switch (which is incredibly handy for both jigging and trolling) and has just been put on sale for $69.99 (I paid $89.99 less than 3 months ago) so it's an excellent value.

If you are looking at buying a baitcaster in the near future and you grew up fishing with spinning or fly reels, try a left handed model. I think you'll be much happier with it.

Dink.
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[aquaman]

a handle on the left side side of a bait casting reel ?!!! or any reel for that matter is just wrong while i may be right handed i always crank the reel on the right side like BLM said thank god for interchangle handles
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[Fishhound]

You are right ! I also like my baitcasters with Left hand reel. I have a Penn 209LH(left hand) and a Quantum that is left handed. I also have 2 Okuma line counters for trolling that(unfortunately did not come in left handed models). It all happened one day when I hooked-up a 4 pound rainbow and went to reel him on in and for some reason my left hand naturally(from being accustomed to spincasting and fly fishing) went to grab the handle and missed it and in the processes almost lost the fish(I did recover and did reel him into the boat).

Here's the real kicker. I can lob a baitcaster fairly far and accurate, but I can't seem to pitch the lure very well, like I have seen the pro bass fisherman do. I always seem to release too late and the lure lands at my feet and in my hand I have the dreaded birds nest. If there are any pro type casters out there, I would sure like the opportunity to observed you casting and get some pointers - I'll bring my own baitcaster and birds nests.
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[brookieboy]

I dunno. Sure seems to me that people would argue about the color of snow if given the chance around here.[] I have all right handed reels and don't have the slightest problem switching back and forth.
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[BrianID]

I've used bait casters for about 10 years now. I learn how to use one when I was only 13 or 14 so the right hand models feel more natural to me than the left hand models. When I first started using a baitcaster it was difficult to get use to holding the rod with my left hand and cranking with my right hand but thought I might as well just get use to it because that is how most baitcasting reels are. IMO learning to use a baitcasting reel is just as difficult as learning to cast a fly rod. You just have to put your spinning rod down and keep with it or you won't ever become very effective with a baitcaster. I still cast and pitch my baitcasters with my right hand but I think it would be more efficient if I learned how to cast them with my left hand.
Does anyone who fishes right handed use their left hand to cast a baitcaster?
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